Archaeological and visual sources of meditation in the ancient monasteries of Kuča / / by Angela F. Howard, Giuseppe Vignato.

• Superior document: Studies in Asian Art and Archaeology, Volume XXVIII
• VerfasserIn: Howard, Angela Falco,; Vignato, Giuseppe, 1962-
• TeilnehmendeR: Vignato, Giuseppe, 1962-
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden, Netherlands : : Brill,, 2015.; ©2015
• Year of Publication: 2015
• Language: English
• Series: Studies in Asian art and archaeology ; Volume XXVIII.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (236 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.
• Other title: Preliminary Material /; Introduction /; 1 The Rock Monasteries of Ancient Kuča /; 2 Formative Elements of Rock Monasteries of Ancient Kuča /; 3 The Visual Language of Meditation /; 4 The Origin of the Visual Language /; Epilogue /; Appendix I /; Bibliography /; Color Illustrations /; Index /
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• ISBN: 9004279393
• ISSN: 1380-782X
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: by Angela F. Howard, Giuseppe Vignato.

In Archaeological and Visual Sources of Meditation in the Ancient Monasteries of Kuča , Angela F. Howard and Giuseppe Vignato use diverse methodological approaches from archaeology, art history and religious studies to reconstruct monastic life and practices in the rock monasteries on the northern Silk Route (ca. 200-650). Analysis of the caves’ function, meditation manuals, and the cave murals highlights the centrality of meditation, a fundamental duty of Kuča monastics. This interdisciplinary study utilizes hitherto unpublished line drawings, maps, and photographs to reconstruct and interpret the architecture and décor of Kuča caves, thus revealing the close links between the spiritual and the physical, between doctrinal teaching and practice and the lay-out and décor of the monasteries.